Determining the timing of driver influences on 1.8-3.5 MeV electron flux
at geosynchronous orbit using ARMAX methodology
Abstract
Although lagged correlations have suggested influences of solar wind
velocity (V) and number density (N), IMF Bz, ULF wave power, and
substorms (as measured by AE) on MeV electron flux at geosynchronous
orbit over an impressive number of hours and days, a satellite’s diurnal
cycle can inflate correlations, associations between drivers may produce
spurious effects, and correlations between all previous time steps may
create an appearance of additive influence over many hours.
Autoregressive-moving average transfer function (ARMAX) multiple
regressions incorporating previous hours simultaneously can eliminate
cycles and assess the impact of parameters, at each hour, while others
are controlled. ARMAX influences are an order of magnitude lower than
correlations. Most influence occurs within a few hours, not the many
hours suggested by correlation. Over all hours, V and N show an initial
negative impact, with longer term positive influences over the 9 (V) or
27 (N) h. Bz is initially a positive influence, longer term (6 h)
negative effect. ULF waves impact flux in the first (positive) and
second (negative) hour before the flux measurement, with further
negative influences in the 12- 24 h before. AE (representing electron
injection by substorms) shows only a short term (1 h) positive
influence. However, when only recovery and after-recovery storm periods
are considered (using stepwise regression), there are positive
influences of ULF waves and V, negative influences of N and Bz, while AE
shows no influence.